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Online Master of Arts Degree in Criminology:

The 33-credit hour on-line Master of Arts (MA) Program in Criminology at Western Kentucky
University (reference code 0421) exposes students to the empirical study and evaluation
of crime patterns in society using a social scientific perspective.

The program's primary emphasis is in the development of strong research skills to
gather and analyze criminological data. In addition to a research and analysis emphasis,
course work is directed toward the exploration of the causes of offending and victimization
in violent and property crimes.

Courses in the curriculum examine the major correlates of crime, delinquency, and
deviance, including an analysis of the effects of gender, age, race/ethnicity, and
social class. Students are exposed to historical and contemporary macro and micro
level theories of offending and victimization, and they are challenged to think about
how prior and current research in the field of Criminology can be used to inform social
and public policies.

Several courses provide students with the opportunity to examine the institutions
that have evolved to respond to crime and delinquency in our society. These courses
provide insights and perspectives into punishment and correction systems, penology,
criminal law, rehabilitation and recidivism. At the end of the program, students
must complete a criminological research project in the format of a peer-reviewed journal
article and pass an oral examination.